Tijuana Flats — Restaurant in Cooper City

I had long heard of Tijuana Flats, but never actually gone, when some good friends suggested it one Friday evening. So I expected it to be pretty good, and so it was!

The store-front location - set back and not terribly visible from the roadway - doesn't really present as Mexican, so one is unsure what to expect walking in for the first time. What greets you is entirely charming, but also perhaps a touch intimidating the first time.

The artwork splashed across the walls again doesn't really speak to the establishment's Mexican cuisine, but it's very colorful and charming. The open shelving one finds particularly behind the service counter does give that impression, but is rather more about utilitarian display of product; more on that shortly.

Walking in, the dining seems a touch cramped, but works okay in the arrangement presented. There is room to put together seating for slightly larger parties than the normal four; but the busyness of Tijuana Flats - and it is pretty brisk- might make it difficult. There is also reasonable seating (covered tables, a few benches) outside that do help.

Where it gets perhaps a bit intimidating for the first-timer, as I mentioned, is in the ordering of your food. Tijuana Flats is a modified fast-food style operation in that you go up to the aforementioned service counter to place your order and pay, and the food will be delivered to your table when ready. But the menu IS an actual, hand-held menu, which you pick up by the door and peruse while waiting your turn at the counter. Having never been here previously, this wasn't immediately obvious and a bit confusing, therefore intimidating; but having seen it, now, it does make sense and won't present a problem going forward.

What is offered on that menu, by contrast is very straightforward - very typical and traditional Mexican choices. For my first visit, I tried a chicken chimichanga, wet with salsa verde, and a pile of tortilla chips on the plate. A large ice tea, which I took with me from the counter completed the order. (I should note drinks are not self serve, but staff will cheerfully refill at the service counter.)

What IS self serve is Tijuana Flats' salsa/sauce bar, which has a gratifyingly large selection of hot sauces - some of which even a "fire breather" like myself has to be a bit careful in using. As my meal progressed, I took a great deal of enjoyment in sampling a wide variety of these. (I would have appreciated a little more light in what was a rather dim, nighttime setting to see everything more clearly, but that's a small nitpick.) Interestingly for hot sauce aficionados, many if not most are available for sale behind the counter (displayed on the open shelving I mentioned earlier).

The food, when it was delivered after a reasonable time to prepare, was well worth the wait. Excellent in proportion and very flavorful, all as well as one could hope for. The seasoning of the chicken was delightful, and the chopped and shredded veggies included were perfectly fresh. Priced

I believe you can tell a lot about a company based on how they handle bad situations. Last night, I ordered pick up through the website. I arrived home to my pregnant wife and the queso and chips were missing. That's what my wife wanted the most so it was very upsetting to have paid for an item but mostly that we didn't have the queso. The refund doesn't help missing of an entire item and the reason why we ordered here to begin with. I called in very upset and spoke with a manager name Matthew. He couldn't have been better. He apologized and mentioned there isn't anything we can do to help but kept apologizing, refunded one of my taco orders, offered to have me come in so he can apologize in person and offered a free queso next visit. It wasn't the freebies that had me impressed, it was the way he handled me as a very upset customer. He didn't make excuses, just said they dropped the ball and offered to make it as right as he could. I was went from being mad to understanding as we all make mistakes. Matthew mentioned the other store managers too just in case I wasn't satisfied. Matthew did an excellent job of taken accountability, apologizing, and doing whatever he can to keep me a customer. I will check the bag next time before I leave the store, but the way this complaint was handled makes me want to keep supporting...

Oh my dear Tijuana Flats. Love the staff here, great AWEsome genuine people. It's really hard to come by good people, and some how this place has a handful of them. They just pay attention and care! So simple so effective. My favorite will be the Chimichangas chicken steak it does not matter, it just needs to come in the flour wrap. They have your healthy option of wheat wrap but it's just not the same 😔. The selection of the hot saucessss are to die for, from jerk to rum to light in heat all the way to "why did I do this" hot! They have a taco Tuesday but I just cannot, not order my Chimichangas. Can you say addicted? Oh almost forgot that Queso is delicious, you can have it with chips or directly in the tacos, burritos, and chimis. They have beer with a rotating selection of some really good independent brewers! If you go, I will gladly meet you...